Light of Knowledge

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." Elder Richard G. Scott The Power of Scripture

First Act of Christ

The last thing that Christ did in his time on the earth was to die and become the Savior of the world.  But Christ helped people all through his life, and it seems as all too often we overlook the events of the Book of Mormon at Christmas time, yet one of the greatest of His miracles occurred there.  The first thing that Christ did was to save thousands of faithful Nephites from being killed.  3 Nephi 1:5-16 relates the story.  "But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.  And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.  And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.  But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.  Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.  Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. 

And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.  And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

'Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.'

And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.  And there were many, who had not believed the words of the prophets, who fell to the earth and became as if they were dead, for they knew that the great plan of destruction which they had laid for those who believed in the words of the prophets had been frustrated; for the sign which had been given was already at hand."

Look Up

Psalm 121 says, "I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."  We should look to the Lord when we need help.  It is also interesting to note that in scripture, the mountains are often a symbol of the temple.  Perhaps the hills mean the same thing in this instance.  In the 2011 October General Conference, Elder Carl B. Cook gave a talk called It Is Better to Look Up.  He talks about a time at the end of his first week as a general authority.  He was staring at the floor of the elevator, wondering how he was possibly going to do all that was expected of him.  The elevator stopped, and someone else got on.  He continued staring at the floor.  Then he heard someone whose voice he recognized ask, "What are you looking at down there?"  It was President Monson. Elder Cook mumbled, "Oh, nothing".  President Monson "smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, "It is better to look up!" As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, "Now, remember, it is better to look up.""

Light & Truth

In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord explains light and truth, and how we obtain more.  The Spirit "is the Spirit of truth; And truth is a knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come."  To have the Spirit with you is to understand, not only how things were and are, but how they will be.  Anything that "is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning.  The Spirit of truth is of God."  "He that keepeth his commandments recieveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things."  If we keep the commandments, then we will be glorified in truth, and know all things.  Who would knowingly turn down that promise?  "The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth."  "And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers."  (D&C 93:21-40)  

This scripture clearly explains that knowledge is the glory of God.  Let us seek it out wherever we can find it.  Keep the "Spirit of truth" with you throughout your day, and you will be guided and receive greater light as you try to learn.  President David O. McKay said: "The Church stands for education. The very purpose of its organization is to promulgate truth among men. Members of the Church are admonished to acquire learning by study, and also by faith and prayer; to seek after every thing that is virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy. In this seeking after, they are not confined to narrow limits of dogma or creed, but are free to launch into the realm of the infinite." (In Conference Report, Apr. 1968, p. 93.)  Let us remember the admonition in the Strength of Youth - "Maintain an enthusiasm for learning throughout your life. Find joy in continuing to learn about yourself, other people, and the world around you."